Langley Officer Predicts Short War

October 10, 1990

The commander of the Langley Air Force Base fighter wing deployed in Saudi Arabia predicted a short, bloody war if fighting breaks out in the Middle East.

Col. John M. McBroom, interviewed Tuesday on Public Broadcasting Service's McNeil-Lehrer NewsHour, was asked what he thought about Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's claim that such a war would be protracted.

"I don't think it will be a picnic," McBroom said from his Saudia Arabia base. "I think it will be bloody, but I think it will be shorter than he thinks it will be."

Two squadrons from the Langley-based 1st Tactical Fighter Wing were deployed in the first weeks of what has come to be known as Operation Desert Shield.

The McBroom interview was the 10th in a series of interviews with deployed military personnel, said Col. Ron Sconyers, spokesman for the Tactical Air Command. Langley-based troops were interviewed four of those nights, Sconyers said.

In the interview, McBroom was asked how he thought the U.S. Air Force would do against the Iraqis, who just finished a nearly decade-long conflict with neighboring Iran.

"As far as fighting an eight-year air war like they had with Iran, three days with us will seem like fifteen years with Iran," he said.

Appearing at ease and smiling often during the interview, McBroom said he was "very proud" of the U.S. troops and their handling of the situation.

"After 23 years in the service, this has to be the highlight of my career," he said of the deployment.